After more than five decades in this profession, I have learned that there is no single type of interpreter. We are a diverse community, yet we all share something in common: the desire to serve and the ability to turn emotions into words.
The Protagonist
This interpreter is a bit of an actor. They know that their voice, body, and presence are part of the message. They shine on stage, turn consecutive interpreting into an act of showmanship, and make the audience forget that there is a middleman. They are charismatic, master the space, and accompany the speaker not only with words but with energy.
The Professional Servant
This is the escort interpreter. Always a few steps behind their speaker, or walking at their side, impeccably dressed, discreet, correct. Their mission is to make sure the message gets through without distracting or stealing the spotlight. They are the guardian of protocol and etiquette.
The Silent Guardian
The booth interpreter. They prefer the shadows, invisibility. They don’t need to be seen; their satisfaction comes from knowing the event runs smoothly. They live in the vertigo of split-second delays, in the tension of simultaneity. They are invisible, but their impact is enormous.
The Chameleon
This interpreter transforms to survive. One day they wear white boots and a mask in an operating room, the next day an overall and hard hat in an industrial plant. They might wear a bulletproof vest during a police operation or a dark business suit at a banking event. They know their appearance is part of their toolset, and that context dictates the code.
We are all interpreters, each with a different personality. And yet, deep down we share the same essence: we are a profession of service. And not just of service, but of emotions. We translate ideas, yes — but also fears, hopes, humor, and tension.
💬 An Invitation to the Community
- To my fellow interpreters: which of these personalities do you see yourself in?
- To interpretation students: which one calls to you the most?
The beauty of this profession is that it allows us to be protagonists, servants, guardians, and chameleons — depending on what the occasion requires. What matters is never to lose sight of the essential: we are the bridge that allows human beings to understand each other, even in the midst of the greatest differences.
Sergio is a chemical microbiologist, licensed interpreter, and the founding president of Colegio Mexicano de Intérpretes de Conferencias.
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